Apparatus for generating numerical control information for machining parts

Abstract

An apparatus for generating numerical control (NC) information automatically determines a division point if two steps are required for machining a part member, and produces NC information for each of divided portions, thereby reducing the time taken to prepare NC information for overall machining. The apparaus includes a division point determination unit for determining a division point between first and second steps based on a material shape, a part shape and a jaw shape supplied: a part shape division unit for generating a first step part shape and a second step part shape based on the division point, the material shape and the part shape: and a material shape division unit for generating a first step material shape and a second step material shape based on the division point, the material shape and the part shape. The numerical control information for the first step is formed from the first step material shape and the first step part shape, while the numerical control information for the second step is formed from the second step material shape and the second step part shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for generating numerical control information for machining a part member, comprising: a division point determination means for determining a division point between first and second steps based on a material shape, a part shape and a jaw shape supplied;   a part shape division means for generating a first step part shape and a second step part shape based on the division point, the material shape and the part shape; and   a material shape division means for generating a first step material shape and a second step material shape based on the division point, the material shape and the first step part shape;   wherein numerical control information for the first step is formed from the first step material shape and the first step part shape, while numerical control information for the second step is formed from the second step material shape and the second step part shape;   and wherein said division point determination means finds a first group of corner points which do not interfere with a jaw shape from a group of corner points on the part shape, and finds a second group of corner points having maximum coordinate values in a diametral direction of the part shape from among the first group of corner points, and finds a corner point having a minimum coordinate value in a longitudinal direction of the part shape from among the second group of corner points, the corner point thereby being used as the division point for outside diameter machining.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus for generating numerical control information for machining a part member, comprising: a division point determination means for determining a division point between first and second steps based on a material shape, a part shape and a jaw shape supplied;   a part shape division means for generating a first step part shape and a second step part shape based on the division point, the material shape and the part shape; and   a material shape division means for generating a first step material shape and a second step material shape based on the division point, the material shape and the first step part shape;   wherein numerical control information of the first step is formed from the first step material shape and the first step part shape, while numerical control information for the second step is formed from the second step material shape and the second step part shape;   and wherein said division point determination means finds a first group of corner points which do not interfere with the jaw shape from a group of corner points on the part shape, and finds a second group of corner points having minimum coordinate values in a diametral direction of the part shape from among the first group of corner points, and finds a corner point having a minimum coordinate value in a longitudinal direction of the part shape from among the second group of corner points, the corner point thereby found being used as the division point for inside diameter machining.